Figure 4.

Quantitative PCR validation of Dex repressed phagocytosis-associated genes identified by microarray analysis. Three genes were selected by microarray from phagocytosis-associated genes that were also repressed by Dex: CD48, CD14, and MARCKS. Quantitative PCR was performed on macrophages treated with either 100 nM of Dex, 1 µM of the GC receptor inhibitory molecule RU486 or both, in order to evaluate whether the observed effects are due to GC receptor action. GILZ, a GC receptor response element, was used as positive control for GC receptor activation. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni corrections were performed (n = 4; p < 0.05 compared to vehicle).